Wards at South Camp facility benefit from home economics programme

Twenty-one wards in the care of the Department of Correctional Services have benefited from a three month Home Economics Programme at the South Camp Juvenile Remand and Correctional Centre.

The programme, which is certified by the HEART Trust/NTA, began in March with two four-hour sessions per week.

The main objective of the initiative was to use home economics as a sustainable enterprise for the young women at South Camp.

The programme aimed to foster their development, empowerment, employability and ultimately reintegration into society with marketable skills.

Speaking at the recent graduation ceremony at the South Camp Remand Centre, Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of National Security Laura Plunkett encouraged the wards to aim as high as they possibly can.

“Your journey does not have to be one in which you are alone. Projects such as ‘A New Path’ can positively change your lives and guide you along your journey to economic independence. I urge you to leverage the knowledge and skills you have gained over the last 12 weeks to forge a brighter future…remember the skills you have learned and know that through this project, support will be provided to assist you with your transition into society,” she said.

The wards were exposed to commercial food preparation, social graces, plate setting, and etiquette.

The programme forms part of the project, A New Path – Promoting a Healthy Environment and Productive Alternatives for Juvenile Remandees and Offenders in Jamaica being managed by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the support of the Trust for Americas.

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